McHenry County Blog

Harvard’s Walmart

It seems that Walmart doesn’t mind seeing its merchandise walk out the door, but the chain wants it be be paid for first.

Read what happened to an employee of the Harvard Walmart when he decided he didn’t have to pay:

THEFT

On 04-07-13 at 0001 hrs. Kenneth D. Richter (m-19 yoa) of 119 Bullard St. Poplar Grove was arrested for theft after he allegedly took multiple electronic items from Harvard Wal-Mart while working there.

Richter was charged with three counts of felony theft and transported to the County jail in lieu of bond.

A press release from the Harvard Police Department:

Unlawful Discharge of A Firearm

On Tuesday, 04-16-13 at 2257 hrs, Harvard Police responded to an apartment in the 200 blk. of Admiral Dr. for a report of gunshots. On officers arrival it was reported gunshots were fired at an apartment.

Investigation revealed numerous gunshots struck the exterior of the apartment with several bullets lodging inside the apartment.

Further investigation indicated there was at least one offender who was seen fleeing the area on foot in a southeast direction.

The offender was described as tall, thin build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt. Investigation indicates the suspect fled to 300 blk. of S. Division St, where police believe a vehicle was waiting.

This incident is related to the incident occurring on Monday, 04-15-13 at 2051 hrs, when Harvard Police responded to the area of S. Eastman St. and W. Thompson St. for reported of gunshots.

Both of these incidents are believed to be gang related.

The Harvard Police Department would like to assure the community these incidents are taken extremely seriously and are actively being investigated. The Harvard Police Department is concerned about the safety of the community and is taking appropriate steps to increase details in the area.

At this time there is no further information available on these crimes. The Harvard Police asks our community to be vigilant of suspicious activity, persons and vehicles in their neighborhoods by reporting the activity to the police department. Anyone with information pertaining to these crimes should call the Harvard Police Department at (815)943-4431 or Crime Stoppers at (815)943-4343

= = = = =

Here is the press release from Tuesday:

Unlawful Discharge of A Firearm

Neighborhood where the shooting took place in Harvard, Illinois.

On Monday, 04-15-13 at 2051 hrs, Harvard Police responded to the area of S. Eastman St. and W. Thompson St. for a report of gunshots.

On officers arrival it was reported several shots were fired in the area. Investigation revealed a door of a residence in 200 blk. of W. Thompson St. and a truck also parked on W. Thompson St. were struck with a bullet.

Investigation revealed the suspect may have been on foot in the area. At this time there is no suspect or suspect vehicle information available.

Harvard Police request that anyone with information pertaining to this incident call the Harvard Police Department at (815)943-4431 or Crime Stoppers at (815)943-4343

Mayor Jay Nolan pitched his candidacy at the Harvard Expo.

Harvard Mayor Jay Nolan overcame a strong challenge from challenger William Parker to retain his mayoral seat.

With early and absentee ballots still to be added Harvard Mayor Jay Nolan led his opponent William Parker by 51 votes.

Information has reached me that State Rep. Jack Franks and State Senator Pam Althoff will not be at Sullivan’s Grocery in Harvard.

The store has apparently been sold and is now called Cash Savers.

So, same address, same time, but different name for the grocery.

Saturday, April 6, 2013
10:00am –11:00am
Cash Savers
1299 S. Division St.
Harvard

State Senator Pam Althoff and State Rep. Jack Franks offer themselves for an hour in Harvard on Saturday, April 6th.

They will be at Sullivan’s Foods, which is located at 1299 S. Division St.

When I heard McHenry College Board member Ron Parrish cite a letter from a constituent that was critical of the College’s hiring of Power Wellness to conduct a feasibility study of whether building a new health club would be a good idea, I immediately filed a Freedom of Information request for it.

It came with the name and address of the sender withheld.

Read it below and determine for yourself whether the criticisms are legitimate:

The letter critical of the Health Club cited at the last meeting of the McHenry County College Board

The correspondent questions “every single study commissioned by the current administration.”  He suggests that every study has been flawed, but “miraculously” supports the position of President Vicky Smith.

Also commented upon is the $42 million cost of the current proposal…before the feasibility study has been completed.

The writer, who seems to be from the Harvard area, wonders how much could be accomplished by putting $42 million into remodeling the old Harvard Motorola plant.

The Vulcan Lake TIF District will suck millions out of the property tax bills of homeowners and businessmen throughout McHenry County over the next twenty or so years. Until other tax districts reach their statutory maximum every tax district that includes part of the Three Oaks Recreation Area will be able to raise their tax rates to make up for the revenue lost in the Route 14 TIF District.

Included on the Tax Rate Calculation page of the McHenry County Clerk’s Office are totals for taxes levied on property within TIF Districts.

Tax Increment Financing Districts are mechanisms that allow municipalities to pry money out everyone in McHenry County who have property outside of the district in question.

This past year the following was taxed so that city councils and village boards could have what amount to unaccountable petty cash funds to distribute to those with property within the TIF districts.

Here’s who taxed the rest of us for how much:

• Cary – $115,681.46
• Cary 2 – $17,531.96
• Crystal Lake Virginia St. – $84,186.88
• Crystal Lake Main St. – $48,186.88
• Crystal Lake Vulcan Lakes – $25,112.22
• Fox River Grove – $501,280.62
• Harvard 2004 – $217,092,10
• Harvard 2005 – $203,854.06
• Harvard – $104,076.14
• Marengo Northside – -0-
• McHenry – $501,261.32
• Woodstock – $648,210.88

Remember those Vote Yes on the County Executive signs that showed up next to Ersel Schuster and Diane Evertsen signs on Route 14 near Harvard?

Photo taken the first time “Vote Yes” signs were put near the landowner’s Republican Party signs.

The homeowner removed them, but two more just showed up.

The people supporting Jack Franks’ County Executive referendum put up two more signs near Republican candidates’ signs.  (See lower left hand corner of the photo.)  The landowner thinks it is a deliberate attempt to make it seem as if Republicans are supporting the change.

The email read:

“A neighbor alerted me that two more of those pesky ‘Vote Yes’ signs had been put on our property along Rt. 14. I’ve attached a photo.

“Who ever puts them up is clearly missing a back bone and other anatomical parts or they would not be afraid of being open about who they are and who they represent.

“It is already openly known that whoever is printing and posting these ‘Vote Yes’ signs is fraudulently suggesting that they are representing the McHenry County Republican Party.

“Which they are Not.

“It also certainly suggests that the push to form an executive form of county government here in McHenry County is being driven by some pretty shady characters.”

A press release from McHenry County Board member Ersel Schuster:

“This press release is to give notice that recent actions by those individuals working for the county executive referendum question are intentionally placing their signs next to many GOP candidates’ campaign signs.

“These workers/supporters are intentionally misleading the public into believing these candidates support their referendum.

“This is NOT grounded in truth.

“Further, these candidate’s campaign sign locations have been approved by property owners for the candidates and not for the referendum signs.

“It is strongly suggested that you remove your signs from these private properties and/or from the vicinity of GOP candidate signs and refrain from deliberately deceiving the public.”

Schuster is not the only to note that Jack Franks’ supporters are implementing this strategy.

A Woodstock County Board member told me of a confrontation with Franks in which he was told to take down the “Vote Yes” signs from property of a Republican Precinct Committeeman and an attorney who opposes the concentration of power referendum initiated and promoted by Franks.

Even citizens with GOP signs on their property are taking action.

Just pulling up the “Vote Yes” signs from their properties.

A photo of Jack Franks’ “Vote Yes” on his County Executive referendum that has been removed by the property owner.

Here’s what the property owner wrote:

“A neighbor called to let me know that a ‘Vote Yes for Exec. Govt.’ sign had been put on our property that faces on Hwy. 14 just south east of Harvard.

“I’m attaching a couple of photos.

“There are already a couple of candidate signs on that property which were placed there with my consent.

“The ‘Vote Yes’ sign was certainly NOT granted permission to be placed there.

“I have to wonder how many other people have these dreadful signs on their property without their consent.

“This action certainly speaks very poorly of Mr. Franks and all those who support him in his effort to create a Exec. form of County government in our county.

“As you may guess, the sign is no longer on our property.”

Grant and University, Harvard, IL

A press release from the Harvard Police Department:

On 09-04-12 at 0800 hrs Police responded to the area of Grant and University Sts for an Attempted Child Luring.

A Harvard Youth (m/11 yoa) reported he was approached by a male subject, wearing a grey colored hooded sweatshirt, black gloves and red and white gym shoes, who offered the youth candy to get in his vehicle with him.

After the youth ran away, the subject left southbound on Grant St, from University St, in a black four door vehicle, with black rims and tinted windows.

This incident is under investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harvard Police Department with any information (815) 943-4431 or Harvard Crime Stoppers (815) 943-4343.